Implant-supported dentures, or implant dentures for short, are becoming increasingly popular among those who are tired of living with poor-fitting dentures that can make eating and speaking in public embarrassing. But what many may not realize is that there’s a similar yet decidedly distinct alternative: All-on-4 dentures. Both treatments combine the utility of dentures with the strength and stability of dental implants, yet there are a couple of key details that make them very different from each other – and could make one a significantly better choice for restoring your own smile.
What are Implant Dentures and All-on-4?
Implant dentures are exactly what the name suggests: they are dentures that have been attached to dental implants. Around 4 to 6 implant posts are used to hold the denture in place. The prosthetic is usually attached after the implant posts have fully joined with the jawbone, which is a process that takes months. Some implant dentures snap into place and are removable while others are fixed in the mouth at all times.
All-on-4 also involves implant posts that support dentures. However, the way the posts are placed in the mouth is different; they are inserted at specific angles so that they fuse with the parts of the jaw that naturally have higher bone density. In many cases, All-on-4 dentures can be placed right away.
How Do Implant Dentures Compare to All-on-4?
Every patient is different; some might find All-on-4 to be the best option while others are more suited to traditional implant dentures. The differences that need be considered when choosing between the two treatments include:
- Speed: All-on-4 is more likely to allow your dentist to place a temporary denture right away, while traditional dental implants often can’t safely bear the load. Thus, All-on-4 often lets you get new teeth faster.
- Efficiency: People who have lost some level of bone density in their jaws may need bone grafts before getting traditional implant dentures but can often get All-on-4 right away.
- Shape: When you get implant dentures for the upper arch, they’ll cover the roof of your mouth, which can affect the way food tastes. This is not the case with All-on-4 dentures.
- Maintenance: Removable implant dentures can be taken out of the mouth for cleanings. All-on-4s require the same treatment as regular teeth.
- Affordability: In general, regular implant dentures are more affordable than All-on-4 dentures, although the exact cost of either treatment is going to vary depending on the situation.
Attaching dentures to dental implants lets you enjoy a strong, stable new smile for decades. Implant dentures and All-on-4 may be different, but they both offer numerous advantages that make them excellent investments for your oral health. Schedule a consultation with your dentist today to learn which implant option might be right for you.
About the Author
Dr. Barry R. Franzen received prosthodontic training at the University of Missouri and Truman Medical Center; he chose to focus his dental career on replacing teeth via dental implants. He has given numerous lectures on implant dentistry for the past 25 years, and he is trained to place All-on-4 in addition to traditional implant dentures. To schedule an implant consultation at his practice, Milwaukee Dental Implants, visit his website or call (414) 543-5432.